System and method for playing an electronic game

ABSTRACT

A game system is for playing an electronic game. The game system comprises a player game device for allowing a player to place a wager and a game controller coupled to the player game device. The game controller is for playing the electronic game and establishing an outcome of the electronic game. The outcome of the electronic game includes a payout according to a first paytable. The game controller is also for displaying a plurality of values on the player game device which are associated with the payout from the first paytable. A result of a mathematical function applied to the values is equal to the payout.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/801,919, filed on May 19, 2006, which isexpressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to electronic games, and moreparticularly, to an electronic game whose results are presented assimulated reels on a slot machine.

2. Description of the Related Art

In some jurisdictions, wagering is permitted on certain types of games,e.g., bingo, lotteries, pull-tabs, etc. The types of games may beelectronic.

In one scenario, an electronic game, such as bingo, is provided in whichplayers compete with and against each other. A minimum of two playersare needed. Each player uses a player terminal which is inter-linked,e.g., via an Ethernet network, to a central server. To initiate the playof the game, a player inserts credits or coins, or currency into theplayer terminal. The coins or currency may be converted into credits.The number of credits are added to a credit meter and displayed on adisplay screen.

If the game being played is bingo, the player selects the level of playby pressing a “bet” button to set the wager amount for a bingo card. Theplayer may then initiate the bingo game by pressing a “play” button.

The server, after determining that enough players have entered the game,randomly determines a string of numbers and transmits the numbers to theplayer terminals. These are daubed, automatically or by the player, ontotheir card(s).

Each game has a defined game ending pattern. As soon, as the string ofnumbers results in the game ending pattern for one of the players on oneof the cards, the bingo game is over and no additional numbers aretransmitted. The player with the game ending or winning pattern isawarded a payout, in terms of credits, according to a paytable which maybe traded in for cash.

However, in such jurisdictions, wagers on other types of gamingmachines, such as slot machines, may not be permitted. Those personsdesiring to wager on slot machines may not be interested in playingbingo.

The present invention is aimed at one or more of the problems identifiedabove

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a game system forplaying an electronic game. The game system comprises a player gamedevice for allowing a player to place a wager and a game controllercoupled to the player game device. The game controller is for playingthe electronic game and establishing an outcome of the electronic game.The outcome of the electronic game includes a payout according to afirst paytable. The game controller is also for displaying a pluralityof values on the player game device where a result of a mathematicalfunction applied to the values is equal to the payout.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for playingan electronic game. The method comprises the steps of allowing a playerto place a wager playing the electronic game and establishing an outcomeof the electronic game. The outcome of the electronic game includes apayout according to a first paytable. A plurality of values aredisplayed, where a result of a mathematical function applied to thevalues is equal to the payout.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a game system forplaying an electronic bingo game. The game system comprises a playergame device for allowing a player to place a wager and purchase anelectronic bingo card. The electronic bingo card has a grid containing aset of numbers and an associated winning pattern. A game controller iscoupled to the player game device for establishing a set of randomlychosen numbers, comparing the set of randomly chosen numbers with theassociated winning pattern and establishing an outcome of the electronicbingo game. The outcome of the electronic bingo game includes a payoutaccording to a first paytable if the winning pattern has been achieved.The game controller is also for simulating reels of a slot machine onthe player game device, with a value displayed on each of the reelswhere a result of a mathematical function applied to the values is equalto the payout.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method for playingan electronic bingo game. The method includes allowing a player to placea wager and purchase an electronic bingo card where the electronic bingocard has a grid containing a set of numbers and an associated winningpattern. A set of randomly chosen numbers are established. The set ofrandomly chosen numbers are compared with the associated winningpattern. An outcome of the electronic bingo game is established, theoutcome of the electronic bingo game including a payout according to afirst paytable if the winning pattern has been achieved. Reels of a slotmachine are simulated. A plurality of values are displayed with a valuedisplayed on each of the reels where a result of a mathematical functionapplied to the values is equal to the payout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated,as the same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a is block diagram of a game system for simulating the outcomeof an electronic bingo game as a slot machine with a plurality of reels;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the game system for simulating the outcomeof the electronic bingo game as the slot machine with the plurality ofreels;

FIG. 3 is an illustrative screenshot of a gaming machine including analternative display and a secondary display of a payout of theelectronic bingo game;

FIG. 4A is a first illustrative screenshot for use in a game system forsimulating the outcome of the electronic bingo game as an alternativedisplay as a slot machine having a plurality of reels; and

FIG. 4B is a second alternative screenshot for use in the game systemfor simulating the outcome of the electronic bingo game as analternative display as a slot machine having a plurality of reels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a game system 10 for playing an electronicgame. The game system 10 is shown generally at 10 in FIG. 1. The gamesystem 10 includes a player game device 12 and a game controller 14. Theplayer game device 12 allows a player to place a wager. The gamecontroller 14 is coupled to the player game device 12 and allows play ofthe electronic game and establishes an outcome of the electronic game.The outcome of the electronic game, which includes a payout according toa first paytable, is displayed as an alternative display 16 on theplayer game device 12.

Player Game Device

Generally, there are a plurality of the player game devices 12 where theplayer game devices 12 and the game controller 14 are at least partiallyimplemented in a client-server configuration. Each of the player gamedevices 12 are connected to, and in communication with, a server 18. Assuch, the server 18 may provide data and instructions to the player gamedevice 12 and/or the game controller 14 and vice versa. With specificreference to FIG. 2, the player game device 12 may be a stand-alonedevice, console, or upright machine which is connected to the server 18via, for example, an Ethernet link 20.

The player game device 12 allows a plurality of players to compete withand against each other in the electronic game. The player game device 12includes a bill validator 22 and/or coin acceptor, a user interfacedevice 24, a ticket printer 26 all coupled to and controller by a devicecontroller 28.

The user interface device 24 allows interaction between the player gamedevice 12, the game controller 14, and the player. The user interfacedevice 24 includes a display screen 30, such as a touch-screen display,and plurality of buttons 32. Input to the user interface device 24 isaccomplished via the touch-screen display, mechanical switches, buttons32, player input sensing device (not shown), etc. The bill validator 22is for accepting currency and responsively providing a number of creditswhich may be played by the respective player. The number of credits orcurrency input by the player are added to a credit meter 34 anddisplayed on the display screen 30. The ticket printer 26 prints aredeemable ticket for any remaining credits on the player game device12.

The user interface device 24 also provides a menu button 36. The playermay access additional functions via the menu button 36. For example, themenu button 36 provides the player with an opportunity, through a menuitem, to cash out. In one embodiment, in response to the player choosingto cash out, a ticket representing the remaining credits on the creditmeter 34 is printed by the ticket printer 26. The printed ticket may beredeemed for cash at a kiosk or cashier station.

To initiate the play of the game, a player inserts credits or coins, orcurrency into the player game device 12. Coins may be inserted into thecoin acceptor (not shown) if provided. Currency may be inserted into thebill validator 22. The coins or currency may be converted into credits.Alternatively or in addition, the player may insert a ticket or cardhaving a number of credits represented thereon or may insert a playertracking card to access credits in a player account. The bill validator22, the user interface device 24, and the ticket printer 26 are coupledto and controlled by the device controller 28. The device controller 28also manages communications to and between the server 18.

Electronic Game

Types of electronic games may include, but are not limited to, bingo orsimilar games, keno games, slot machines 48, casino games, card games,dog or horse racing, lotteries, and all other forms of gaming. Forpurposes of illustration only, the present invention is described belowin terms of bingo, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B, but the presentinvention is not limited to such.

The player game device 12 allows a player to place a wager and purchaseone or more electronic bingo cards 38. The player game device 12 allowsthe player to purchase additional electronic bingo cards 38 during thepredetermined time period by placing an additional wager. In oneembodiment, the electronic bingo card 38 is a 5×5 grid with the columnslabeled B, I, N, G, and O, respectively. The center cell may be a “free”cell. Therefore, the electronic bingo card 38 has a grid containing aset of numbers and an associated winning pattern. It should beappreciated, however, that the grid is not limited to containing numbersas symbols, letters, or any other character may be used. Each bingo gamehas at least one winning pattern where the winning pattern is a gameending pattern which signifies the end of the game.

Referring again to FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B, the electronic bingo card 38 isrepresented on the touchscreen display screen 30. In one embodiment,prior to the commencement of the electronic game, the cells on the gamecard are shown in a neutral color, e.g., white. As a set of randomlychosen numbers 40 are selected, the numbers may be displayed in a bingonumber display area 42. If the chosen number appears on the player'sbingo card 38, then that number is highlighted, shown in another color,such as red or pink. The electronic bingo card 38 may also highlight anywinning pattern, e.g., by showing the numbers in the cells of theinterim winning pattern in another color.

The winning pattern is a sub-set of cells of the grid which trigger anaward or payout. The outcome of the electronic bingo game may be a“loss” if no game ending pattern, i.e., winning pattern, is achievedafter all numbers have been selected or if another player achieves thegame winning pattern.

The game controller 14 establishes the set of randomly chosen numbers 40over a predetermined time period and establishes the randomly chosennumbers 40 on the player game device 12. In one embodiment, the set ofrandomly chosen numbers 40 are chosen randomly using a random numbergenerator (not shown). However, the set of randomly chosen numbers 40may be established in any way known to those skilled in the art. In oneembodiment, there are a predetermined number of numbers in the randomlychosen numbers 40, e.g., seventy-five. In another embodiment, thepredetermined number of numbers in the set of randomly chosen numbers 40are established within a predetermined period of time, e.g.,approximately 10 seconds. As the set of randomly chosen numbers 40 areestablished, the set of randomly chosen numbers 40 are compared numberby number against the associated winning pattern.

The amount of the award or payout may be dependent upon the wager madeby the player and a predetermined paytable (not shown). This means thatthe more that a player bets, the larger the payout for an associatedwinning pattern according to the paytable. In one embodiment, the gameending pattern may include all of the cells of the electronic bingo card38. In another embodiment, there is more than one game ending pattern onthe paytable where each game ending pattern provides a different awardor payout. The payout associated with the game ending pattern is paid tothe first player who achieves the game ending pattern. This means thatas the set of randomly chosen numbers 40 are established over thepredetermined time period, and the associated winning pattern isachieved, the game ends. The game controller 14 awards a payout underthe first paytable only to the first player whose electronic bingo card38 attains the game ending pattern. In one embodiment, the set ofrandomly chosen numbers 40 includes a predetermined number of numbers.In this embodiment, if the predetermined number of numbers 40 does notresult in a game ending pattern, then the player loses and does not winanything. Alternatively, the set of randomly chosen numbers 40 arechosen indefinitely until the game ending pattern is achieved.

In another aspect of the present invention, the player game device 12allows the player to purchase additional electronic bingo cards 38,prior to any player achieving the game ending pattern or the last numberin the set of chosen numbers having been chosen.

In one embodiment, there is at least one interim pattern. The interimpattern is a pattern on the grid that results in a payout according to asecond paytable when the pattern is achieved. The interim winningpatterns may provide a payout, without ending the game. The payout ofthe interim winning pattern is a function of the player's wager and thesecond paytable. The interim winning patterns may have other conditionsassociated therewith. For example, in order for a payout to occur, theinterim winning pattern must be achieved within a predetermined numberof the numbers.

Alternative Display of the Payout

Although the player may determine their payout by comparing their gameending pattern or the interim pattern with the respective paytable, toadd excitement for the player, the payout is displayed on thealternative display 16 on the player game device 12. The payout istranslated into a plurality of values 44 which are displayed on theplayer game device 12. The values 44 may correspond to a currency value,a credit value, points or other type of value, etc. In one embodiment,the game controller 14 displays the plurality of values 44 on the playergame device 12 by simulating reels 46 on a slot machine 48. The slotmachine 48 includes a plurality of the reels 46 and at least one payline50 extending across the reels 46. At least one of values 44 aredisplayed on each of the reels 46. However, a plurality of values 44 maybe visible on each of the reels 46 when the reels 46 stop and aplurality of paylines 50 may extend across the reels 46, e.g.,diagonally, horizontally, zigzagged, etc., as known to those skilled inthe art. Therefore, after the reels 46 spin and stop, the values 44 aredisplayed on the reels 46 with the values 44 aligned across the payline50.

The result of the mathematical function applied to those values 44aligned across the payline 50 is equal to the payout of the firstpaytable. The mathematical function includes at least one mathematicaloperation which is applied to the values 44, such as addition,subtraction, multiplication, and division. In one embodiment, the values44 are added together by the player where the sum of the values 44 isequal to the amount of the payout from the paytable, as shown in FIG.4A. In this embodiment, the three values 44 are 5, 50, and 20. Afterapplying the mathematical operation of addition, the payout is 5+50+20or 75. Additionally, a multiplier 52 may be included on one or more ofthe reels 46. If there is a multiplier 52, then the sum of the values 44which are added together by the player is then multiplied by themultiplier 52 to provide the amount of the payout from the paytable, asshown in FIG. 4B. In this embodiment, the two values 44 are 10 and 50and the multiplier 52 is 8×. After applying the mathematical operationsof addition and multiplication, the payout is achieved by 10+50 or 60which is them multiplied by 8 for a payout of 480. Likewise, if themultiplier 52 is zero, then the payout would also equal zero,corresponding to a loss to the player. Alternatively, in anotherembodiment where the payout is a loss to the player, the game controller14 spins the reels 46 on the slot machine 48 to display values 44 whichdo not align across the payline 50 communicating with the player thatthe amount of the payout from the paytable is equal to zero.

Additionally, the game controller 14 may display the plurality ofsecondary values 44 on the player game device 12 in a secondary location54 to the reels 46. Here, the values 44 are fixedly displayed at thesecondary location 54. The values 44 which correspond to the payout ofthe paytable are displayed by highlighting, illuminating, displaying,etc., and are designated as 56 in FIG. 3. The result of a mathematicalfunction applied to the highlighted values 44 is also equal to theamount of the payout from the paytable. After applying the mathematicaloperation of addition, the payout is 5+50+20 or 75. The multiplier 52may also be used in conjunction with the values 44 displayed at thesecondary location 54. If the multiplier is active, then it is alsohighlighted, illuminated, displayed, etc.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings, and the invention may bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described.

1. A game system for playing an electronic game, said game systemcomprising: a player game device for allowing a player to place a wager;and a game controller coupled to said player game device for playing theelectronic game and establishing an outcome of the electronic game, theoutcome of the electronic game including a payout according to a firstpaytable, said game controller further for displaying a plurality ofvalues on said player game device, where a result of a mathematicalfunction applied to the values is equal to the payout.
 2. A game system,as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said playergame devices and said game controller being implemented in a server witheach of said player game devices being connected to said server.
 3. Agame system, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said plurality of playergame devices allowing a plurality of players to compete with and againsteach other in the electronic game.
 4. A game system, as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said player game device includes a bill validator foraccepting currency and responsively providing a number of credits whichmay be played by the player.
 5. A game system, as set forth in claim 1,wherein said player game device includes a user interface device forallowing interaction between said player game device and said gamecontroller and the player.
 6. A game system, as set forth in claim 5,wherein said user interface device includes a touch-screen display.
 7. Agame system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said player game deviceincludes a ticket printer for printing a redeemable ticket for anyremaining credits on said player game device.
 8. A game system, as setforth in claim 1, wherein said player game device includes a billvalidator, a user interface device, a ticket printer all coupled to andcontroller by a device controller.
 9. A game system, as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said game controller displays the plurality of valueson said player game device by simulating reels on a slot machine withone of the values displayed on each of the reels.
 10. A game system, asset forth in claim 9, wherein said game controller displays theplurality of values on said player game device by spinning the reels onthe slot machine such that the reels stop with one of the valuesdisplayed on each of the reels.
 11. A game system, as set forth in claim9, wherein the values on the reels of the slot machine align along apayline of the slot machine where the result of a mathematical functionapplied to the values is equal to the payout.
 12. A game system, as setforth in claim 9, wherein if the outcome of the electronic game is aloss to the player, then said game controller spins the reels on theslot machine to display values where the result of a mathematicalfunction applied to the values is equal to the payout of zero.
 13. Agame system, as set forth in claim 12, wherein at least one of themathematical functions are addition, subtraction, multiplication, anddivision.
 14. A game system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said gamecontroller displays the plurality of values on said player game deviceby highlighting the values on said player game device where the resultof a mathematical function applied to the values is equal to a payout.15. A game system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the electronic gameis further defined as an electronic bingo game.
 16. A game system, asset forth in claim 15, wherein said player game device is furtherdefined as a player game device for allowing a player to place a wagerand purchase an electronic bingo card, the electronic bingo card have agrid containing a set of numbers and an associated winning pattern. 17.A game system, as set forth in claim 16, wherein said game controller isfurther defined as a game controller coupled to said player game devicefor establishing a set of randomly chosen numbers, comparing the set ofrandomly chosen numbers with the associated winning pattern andestablishing an outcome of the electronic bingo game, the outcome of theelectronic bingo game including a payout according to a first paytableif the winning pattern has been achieved, said game controller furtherfor displaying a plurality of values on said player game device, where aresult of a mathematical function applied to the values is equal to thepayout.
 18. A game system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein theassociated winning pattern is a game ending pattern, the game controllerawarding a payout under the first paytable only to the first playerwhose electronic bingo card has the game ending pattern.
 19. A gamesystem, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the set of randomly chosennumbers includes a predetermined number of numbers.
 20. A game system,as set forth in claim 17, including at least one interim pattern, the atleast one interim pattern resulting in a payout according to a secondpaytable.
 21. A game system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein saidplayer game device allows the player to purchase more than oneelectronic bingo card.
 22. A game system, as set forth in claim 17,wherein said game controller establishes the set of randomly chosennumbers 40 over a predetermined time period.
 23. A game system, as setforth in claim 22, wherein said player game device allows the player topurchase additional electronic bingo cards during the predetermined timeperiod by placing an additional wager.
 24. A method for playing anelectronic game, said method comprising the steps of: allowing a playerto place a wager playing the electronic game and establishing an outcomeof the electronic game, the outcome of the electronic game including apayout according to a first paytable; and displaying a plurality ofvalues, where a result of a mathematical function applied to the valuesis equal to the payout.
 25. A method, as set forth in claim 24,including the step of allowing a plurality of players to compete withand against each other in the electronic game.
 26. A method, as setforth in claim 24, wherein if the outcome of the electronic game is aloss to the player, then said step of displaying values includes thestep of displaying values where a result of a mathematical functionapplied to the values is equal to the payout of zero when calculatedtogether.
 27. A method, as set forth in claim 24, further comprising thestep of simulating reels on a slot machine with one of the valuesdisplayed on each of the reels.
 28. A method, as set forth in claim 27,further comprising the step of spinning the reels on the slot machine todisplay the values.
 29. A method, as set forth in claim 27, wherein saidstep of simulating the reels on a slot machine is further defined as thestep of aligning the values displayed on the reels across a payline,where a result of a mathematical function applied to the values acrossthe payline is equal to the payout when calculated together.
 30. Amethod, as set forth in claim 24, further comprising said step ofallowing a player to place a wager further comprises the step ofallowing a player to purchase an electronic bingo card, the electronicbingo card have a grid containing a set of numbers and an associatedwinning pattern.
 31. A method, as set forth in claim 30, furthercomprising the steps of establishing a set of randomly chosen numbersand said step of playing the electronic game is further defined as thestep of comparing the set of randomly chosen numbers with the associatedwinning pattern and establishing an outcome of the electronic bingogame, the outcome of the electronic bingo game including a payoutaccording to a first paytable if the winning pattern has been achieved.32. A method, as set forth in claim 31, wherein the associated winningpattern is a game ending pattern, the payout under the first paytablebeing awarded only to the first player whose electronic bingo card hasthe game ending pattern.
 33. A method, as set forth in claim 31, whereinthe set of randomly chosen numbers includes a predetermined number ofnumbers.
 34. A method, as set forth in claim 31, including at least oneinterim pattern, the at least one interim pattern resulting in a payoutaccording to a second paytable.
 35. A method, as set forth in claim 31,further comprising the step of allowing the player to purchase more thanone electronic bingo card by placing additional wagers.
 36. A method, asset forth in claim 31, wherein the set of randomly chosen numbers 40 areestablished over a predetermined time period.
 37. A method, as set forthin claim 31, further comprising the step of allowing the player topurchase additional electronic bingo cards by placing additional wagersduring the predetermined time period.
 38. A method, as set forth inclaim 24, wherein at least one of the mathematical functions areaddition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
 39. A game systemfor playing an electronic bingo game, said game system comprising: aplayer game device for allowing a player to place a wager and purchasean electronic bingo card, the electronic bingo card have a gridcontaining a set of numbers and an associated winning pattern; and agame controller coupled to said player game device for establishing aset of randomly chosen numbers, comparing the set of randomly chosennumbers with the associated winning pattern and establishing an outcomeof the electronic bingo game, the outcome of the electronic bingo gameincluding a payout according to a first paytable if the winning patternhas been achieved, said game controller further for simulating reels ofa slot machine on said player game device, with a value displayed oneach of the reels where a result of a mathematical function applied tothe values is equal to the payout.
 40. A method for playing anelectronic bingo game, said method comprising the steps of: allowing aplayer to place a wager and purchase an electronic bingo card, theelectronic bingo card have a grid containing a set of numbers and anassociated winning pattern; establishing a set of randomly chosennumbers; comparing the set of randomly chosen numbers with theassociated winning pattern and establishing an outcome of the electronicbingo game, the outcome of the electronic bingo game including a payoutaccording to a first paytable if the winning pattern has been achieved;simulating reels of a slot machine; and displaying a plurality of valueswith a value displayed on each of said reels where a result of amathematical function applied to the values is equal to the payout.